Search found 15490 matches
- 16:56 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Graham Blend No.5 White
- Replies: 0
- Views: 50
NV Graham Blend No.5 White
Fruit led nose, of fresh green apples. Sweet honeyed apples on the palate. A little bitterness on the finish. Better when mixed, as intended. 85/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
- 16:51 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 1995 Quinta do Vesuvio
- Replies: 0
- Views: 21
1995 Quinta do Vesuvio
Library release in 2024. A lovely dark brick red colour. Deep and rich dark fruit on the nose, full of liquorice. Medium bodied dark fruit with gentle tannins. A lovely menthol and black cherry finish. Great Port, still youthful. 94/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
- 16:44 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 2003 Dow
- Replies: 0
- Views: 20
2003 Dow
Library release. Mature brick red colour. A little sweet and complex fruit on the nose. A lovely mouthful of fruit, slightly drier than the Graham 2003 tasted alongside this bottle. The palate comes with a wonderful gentle grip that subtly highlights the quality of the fruit. Great liquorice finish....
- 16:37 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Dow 40YO (bottled 2021)
- Replies: 0
- Views: 14
NV Dow 40YO (bottled 2021)
Bottled 2021. Wonderfully rich sweet citrus on the expressive nose. Smooth on the palate, restrained with dark sugar, torched brûlée and generous citrus. A lovely bitter-sweet citrus on the long finish. This wine has a lovely richness to it. 94/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
- 16:07 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 2003 Warre
- Replies: 0
- Views: 27
2003 Warre
Library release. The darkest of the three 2003 VPs at this tasting. The wine has a wonderful fragrant nose, so expressive! Less expressive on the palate than the nose.
A lovely elegance to the fruit on the palate and a lingering strawberry finish. 93/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
A lovely elegance to the fruit on the palate and a lingering strawberry finish. 93/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
- 16:00 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Warre Otima Tawny 10YO (bottled 2024)
- Replies: 0
- Views: 19
NV Warre Otima Tawny 10YO (bottled 2024)
Bottled 2024 in 50cl. Set fruit on the nose. Mild entry which builds nicely on the mid-palate. Gentle orange finish. Great length. Very elegant. 89/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
- 15:55 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 2019 Cockburn LBV
- Replies: 0
- Views: 24
2019 Cockburn LBV
Wonderful on the nose, floral fruit. Smooth texture, soft sweet fruit. Good acidity with tannins mostly hidden. Lovely long floral finish. This is just gorgeous. 88/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
- 15:50 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: NV Cockburn Special Reserve
- Replies: 0
- Views: 23
NV Cockburn Special Reserve
Fresh crushed berries and redcurrant. Lovely ripe fruit, a light touch of tannin. Very approachable with a great finish
Slightly too sweet on the finish. Pleasant every day Port. 85/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
Slightly too sweet on the finish. Pleasant every day Port. 85/100. Tasted 18-Feb-2025.
- 15:46 Tue 18 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 2003 Horizontal - Tue 18 March 2025
- Replies: 67
- Views: 13825
Re: 2003 Horizontal - Tue 18 March 2025
Is the Sandeman Vau in double-magnum format?jdaw1 wrote: ↑22:31 Mon 17 Feb 2025Thank you. Done — in the placemats.
Note to self: JDAW is bringing Portal, Portal+, Cockburn, Niepoort Secundum, Roriz, and Sandeman Vau.
- 09:16 Sun 16 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
- 23:52 Sat 15 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Pointless Statistics
- Replies: 257
- Views: 256698
Re: Pointless Statistics
Another couple of pointless statistics. Since I started keeping tabs (and taking notes) on the Ports I have tasted in 2006, my top three most frequently tasted Ports are (drum roll): In third place - Warre 1970 with 67 tasting notes. In second place - Graham 1970 with 69 tasting notes. And in first ...
- 23:14 Sat 15 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Thursday 27th March 2025 - Virtual Tasting
- Replies: 30
- Views: 6377
Re: Thursday 27th March 2025 - Virtual Tasting
Just going through my diary. @Neil - can you confirm that we are still planning to have this tasting?
- 22:59 Sat 15 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 1970 Horizontal, flights 1-4, Friday 3 October 2025
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4748
Re: 1970 Horizontal, flights 1-4, Friday 3 October 2025
I am much more worried about having a sufficient supply of glasses. As someone who has to occasionally hire several hundred wine glasses, I would advise that it is not something to leave to the last minute if the B&F are not able to supply them.
- 22:49 Sat 15 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Some carrots would be an excellent idea. Please could I add these to my order.
- 20:21 Fri 14 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
I see that I am being bottle-shamed into choosing something else. So be it…
- 19:10 Fri 14 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
My bottle has been selected and de-racked.
But it already has 2 tasting notes. Should I look for another bottle?
But it already has 2 tasting notes. Should I look for another bottle?
- 19:07 Fri 14 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Help with handwriting
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1626
Re: Help with handwriting
Justin has asked me to post his photos:
- 22:37 Wed 12 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
- 17:54 Wed 12 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
- Replies: 143
- Views: 35364
Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
Well would you believe it? That's the first time I've tasted Smith Woodhouse 2000 VP.
Who'da'thut it?
Who'da'thut it?
- 08:40 Wed 12 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Has anyone let the Boot & Flogger know that we will need a humongous number of glasses next week?
- 08:37 Wed 12 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
With three people needing to adopt, I am suddenly feeling much less concerned about Harry bringing 6 bottles and Julian bringing 3.
Phew!
Phew!
- 23:56 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Large bangers and mash for me please - but with skinny fries instead of mash!
- 22:36 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
please could people bring a fully mature Port for which there are two or fewer tasting notes on the Tasting Note Data Base. can I ask what 'fully Mature' actually means date wise I can't imagine a 2022 vintage would qualify and I'm sure an 1890 would but where is the transition point ? The normal r...
- 20:32 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 1970 Horizontal, flights 1-4, Friday 3 October 2025
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4748
Re: 1970 Horizontal, flights 1-4, Friday 3 October 2025
Reconfirmed - and available to help from about 10.30.
…or earlier if I decide to stay in town overnight.
…or earlier if I decide to stay in town overnight.
- 20:31 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 1970 Horizontal, flight 0, Thursday 2 October 2025
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1463
Re: 1970 Horizontal, flight 0, Thursday 2 October 2025
I confirm my availability for the new date.
I also confirm my availability to help set up on both days, should that be needed.
I will email you details on bottles I can supply a little later…
I also confirm my availability to help set up on both days, should that be needed.
I will email you details on bottles I can supply a little later…
- 13:22 Tue 11 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
Harry now has control of the first post, so please keep an eye on it to see if / how / when things change. Yesterday Harry described his plan. As described yesterday (which was several bottles of Port ago) this will be an evening of two halves. The first half will be a blind tasting with 4-6 bottles...
- 20:34 Mon 10 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
- Replies: 106
- Views: 24975
Re: 19 Feb 25 (TBC) - Niche-interest bottlings & old reliables
On the assumption that RAYC is not able to be in the UK next week, I will hand control of the first post over to Harry tomorrow so he can organise a tasting he has hoped to run for some months.
- 17:18 Sun 09 Feb 2025
- Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
- Topic: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
- Replies: 143
- Views: 35364
Re: Monday 10 February 2025 - 2000 VP Tasting
What time will bottles be arriving on Monday?
Would a willing pair of hands be of help in decanting, pouring and setting out?
What time should said willing pair of hands plan to arrive?
Would a willing pair of hands be of help in decanting, pouring and setting out?
What time should said willing pair of hands plan to arrive?
- 13:25 Sun 09 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
- Replies: 2
- Views: 203
Re: Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
That's exactly what I'm after! Thank you Michael, much appreciated.
- 13:22 Sat 08 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Conversations
- Topic: Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
- Replies: 2
- Views: 203
Wanted: metal lid off a Graham 10YO tawny tube
Does anyone coming to the Boot and Flogger on the 10th or the 19th have a lid from a tube of Graham 10YO tawny they don’t want? I’m one short for a little “re-purposing” project at home. If someone could bring one with them, I’d be very grateful. I’m not certain, but I think the lid of the Graham, T...
- 23:27 Fri 07 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
- Replies: 2
- Views: 209
- 15:09 Thu 06 Feb 2025
- Forum: Port Tasting Notes
- Topic: 1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
- Replies: 2
- Views: 209
1976 Fonseca Guimaraens
Fonseca Guimaraens 1976. Still a bizarre wine, black-red colour, hardly any sediment, tasting like chalk and black cherry. So strange. Not growing up at all. 88/100.
- 22:58 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
It sounds wonderful! I love your writeups and photographs. It's almost as if I were there! I also like first photograph (the map), which showed the room rate as 242 EUR? That's really not bad at all for a high-end hotel. Is the room rate the same in all 3 wings, or does that vary? It varies by room...
- 22:15 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
And that concludes my write-up of my visit to the most excellent Kopke Tivoli in Vila Nova de Gaia - unreservedly recommended.
- 22:09 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
In fairness to the Tivoli, the rooms at the Yeatman are ridiculously large. It feels like a quarter of a mile from door to terrace. And the baths… I decided to have a bath in my room there one evening and it took about 30 minutes to fill. But at least once the bath is full you can swim lengths unti...
- 20:58 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
In summary, the hotel was wonderful and we are definitely returning to stay again — and have already booked! What did it for us was the staff. The staff are absolutely wonderful. They have created an atmosphere at the hotel which is relaxed and comfortable while still proving immaculate service. Nac...
- 20:32 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1179.jpeg It might be a little mundane, but the car park is definitely worth a mention. In a town where car parking spaces are at a premium, the hotel has a secure, gated and internal car park sitting in the centre of the building. The space has 3 rapid charging points, wide spaces to comfortab...
- 20:30 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The hotel comes with a spa and 24 hour gym. It will surprise no-one to learn that I didn't try out the gym - but it looked very impressive and was built around a full width, floor-to-ceiling window looking over the Douro. The spa offers a wide variety of massage and other treatments, an indoor pool,...
- 19:45 Wed 05 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1153.jpeg Breakfast is served in the Boa Vista restaurant on the middle floor of the hotel. In the summer breakfast will be available on the terrace but in February we were very happy to take the option to eat inside! (The restaurant is also the family restaurant. We had Sunday lunch with frien...
- 22:28 Tue 04 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1106.jpeg The rooms are all of a similar size. There's no getting away from the fact that they are smaller than the rooms at the Yeatman, but they are very well appointed. All have walk-in showers, some of the suites also have baths. All the rooms come supplied with steamers, perfect for gettin...
- 22:05 Tue 04 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1099.jpeg To one side of the wine bar is the destination restaurant. The hotel has partnered with Nacho Manzano, the three Michelin starred Asturian chef responsible for the success of his family's restaurant Casa Marcial. The menu for the hotel will be based on the legacy of the rich culinary ...
- 17:59 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_1143.jpeg The hub of the hotel, and to one side of the reception area, is the wine bar and destination restaurant. Both have stunning views over the gardens, the river and of Porto opposite. IMG_1141.jpeg One side of the wine bar is made up of a wall of glass fronted wine storage cabinets. Kopk...
- 11:33 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The interiors of the hotel are true to its origin, as a warehouse being used to store and mature Port. Some of the internal walls show the massive stone blocks used to construct the original walls and where the rooms beams used to sit. IMG_1065.jpeg Other areas of newer construction are more modern,...
- 11:21 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The hotel makes the most of its outside space with the majority of rooms having some form of private outdoor space, but the communal areas spread across 5 floors. IMG_1054.jpeg In the summer the hotel will really come into its own. There is the rooftop bar, a terrace outside the wine bar, outdoor ta...
- 11:08 Sun 02 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
IMG_7700.jpeg IMG_1111.jpeg The indoor pool is small but well appointed with two waterfalls, two jacuzzi seats and three bubble jets for guests to swim through. All this in a room with a reflective glass ceiling that when combined with the picture windows makes the space feel much larger than it re...
- 23:50 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
Our arrival was not on the best of days and the background to our exploration of the hotel was of high, grey cloud. But it didn't take a lot of imagination to see how the outdoor pool in the gardens will be a magical place on a hot and sunny day. Surrounded by a manicured lawn, with sunbeds scattere...
- 23:33 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
The hotel has 120 rooms ranging from "Skylight" rooms where the natural light is provided by a lightwell through the roof of the old warehouse - which also provides a little outside space in the summer - to some large penthouse suites. The majority of rooms are facing Porto with views of t...
- 23:08 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Re: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
Taxis drop off in Rua do Barão de Forrester. You can tell when you arrive because the wall suddenly turns a terracotta red. The entrance to the hotel is clear and leads to a wide patio and a flight of steps down to reception — but if you arrive with bags then use the lift in the black glass cubicle ...
- 20:21 Sat 01 Feb 2025
- Forum: Travel
- Topic: Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
- Replies: 19
- Views: 12237
Kopke Tivoli Hotel, Vila Nova de Gaia
Saturday 1st February 2025 saw the opening day of Gaia’s latest luxury hotel. Aimed at being a direct competitor to the Yeatman, the Kopke Tivoli is a conversion of part of Kopke’s cellars that lie just a block up the hill from the river, on the opposite side of the road from the Hilton and the Niep...
- 20:19 Thu 30 Jan 2025
- Forum: Other Fortified Wines
- Topic: NV Quady Starboard Batch 88
- Replies: 0
- Views: 2577
NV Quady Starboard Batch 88
Starboard batch 88, a half bottle filled about 20 years ago. Sealed with a t-stopper, made from Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão and Tinta Amarela. Imported by Cabot Cellars, Orchard House, Nailsea, Bristol, BS19 1JD. Deep orange in colour with a hint of cherry in the tone; 40% opaque. Mild blueberry and whit...